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Disciplined Tahs to 'get physical'

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:14

The Bulls can expect a dose of their own medicine when they host the Waratahs in Pretoria on Saturday.

In the wake of their impressive 25-20 win over the defending champion Chiefs last week, the Tahs arrived in South Africa this week brimming with confidence.

And they are looking to take the Bulls on physically at Loftus Versfeld.

Waratahs captain Dave Dennis, writing in his weekly diary, said they will enjoy a bit of "down time".

"However, the main focus is their preparation for the Bulls, with a concentration on bringing a physical but disciplined performance," Dennis said.

He admitted they don't have a great record against the Bulls, particularly in Pretoria - where they haven't won since 2002.

"But we're up for the challenge," Dennis said, adding: "The performance against the Chiefs gave us confidence in our ability as a group and I feel we are progressing well towards our first win at Loftus in over a decade.

"We are determined to continue our momentum and win this one to make sure our fans enjoy another Tahs' win and hopefully give Taaf [hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau] something to celebrate in what would be his 100th match for NSW."

He said the Waratahs have got through some "quality sessions" early in the week.

"It goes without saying that the boys were really satisfied with the win over the defending champions last week and loved playing in front of our vocal home crowd.

"The roar when Luge [John Ulugia] scored that winning try was awesome and showed that the win meant as much to our fans as it did to us.

"To get the win at home and be able to share our satisfaction with our supporters made the result even more special and that game is one I will certainly remember for a long time."

The one downside to the game was the hamstring injury to Drew Mitchell, which prevented him taking his place on the plane to South Africa.

Another injury to Lachie Turner in the Shute Shield competition the next day also ruled him out of the tour.

"Lachie's injury is a bit more serious as he's broken a bone in his lower leg [the fibula] and had to have surgery over the weekend - which will rule him out for a good few months.

"On a positive note, their absence created chances for a few more of the boys to join us in South Africa and as well as the squad from the Chiefs game, big Willy Skelton, Jeremy Tilse, Tom Carter, Michael Hodge and Tom Kingston joined us for the long flight to Johannesburg [and then another 50-off kilometres by road on to Pretoria] on Sunday."